Engineering Management Institute

Gina Covarrubias

Proactive Steps to Build Relationships and Manage Work Circumstances

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

ProactiveHow can you be more proactive to better manage work circumstances and the people in your day-to-day? Here are three topics to consider, along with tips and exercises, to propel yourself toward a path of successful career management.

Tip 1: Squash the Ego and Increase Likability

Researcher and leadership consultant Cy Wakeman brilliantly describes ego in her book, “No Ego.” She states:

“Ego will coax you to be one up or persuade you to be one down. One up, and you’re convinced you’re right, you’re better than the others, and people should always listen to you. One down, and you’re misunderstood, helpless and a victim of circumstances.”

An effective tool to aid your navigation through the nuances of human nature is to recognize and mitigate your own ego.

Proactive

Ego doesn’t want to consider things like forgiveness, moving on, taking full accountability, or open-mindedness. It wants approval, recognition, and validation. It wants to be right, and it doesn’t consider the costs. Too much ego can hamper the ability to find creative solutions. Worse, self-growth will be hindered, and you may experience people leaving your network.

This is no way to manage a successful career! So, how does one recognize and mitigate ego?

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Breaking Through Common Communication Barriers

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

Communication BarriersThis article highlights three common communication barriers that might be holding you back. Learn what you can do to break through these barriers and form newfound connections through improved communication!

1. “I’m Afraid to Speak Up”

The work environment can be intimidating, rampant with older, more experienced folks who seem to know what they’re doing.

For those of you afraid to speak your mind or openly make suggestions, consider the following.

Speaking up is not always about being right. Sometimes it can be, but other times, speaking up can be about expressing ideas or unique thoughts that are worthy of being shared in the name of creating an open dialogue.

Communication Barriers

Your ideas and beliefs deserve consideration as a valued member of an organization. In fact, you get paid to share your ideas and perspectives. While silence may feel less risky and more comfortable, you could fail ahead of time by remaining speechless.

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What Is Your Purpose? Three Timeless Pillars to Guide Your Future

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

Your PurposeWhether you are a student, professional, forcibly unemployed, or just taking a break, I have great news: each can be approached the same way! Apply these three pillars anytime to maximize your life purpose and guide your future.

Pillar 1: Service

Service is about directing your efforts toward a cause bigger than yourself. It includes carving out time and energy for the sake of serving an external purpose.

It can mean serving your team or organization in the workplace. Maybe it involves supporting your neighbors, your environment, or your country. Applying a service approach to your surroundings is one way to share your unique gifts with the world.

For example, try to answer:

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Three Steps to Make the Most of Your Decisions

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

DecisionsWhen it comes to decision-time, do you go all in, or do you spend time waffling and floundering? Learn what you can do to make the most of any decision you make!

1. Commitment vs. Giving Up

Sadly, we sit all too often in a state of doubt, self-defeat, or regret after making a decision. It is so tempting to think, “Oh no, was that the right decision? What if I made the wrong choice, etc.?” The agonies that come along with a what-if mentality can leave your self-esteem lacking and your energy depleted. 

I’d like to offer a more useful three-step approach you can apply when it comes to your decision-making skills. 

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Want to Start Your Own Business? Pay Attention to These 3 Tips!

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

Own Business

Tip 1: Do Not Jump on the Bandwagon 

The number of American small business applications has been increasing each year since 2016, according to PR Newswire.  

Heck, you might know a buddy who has started a lucrative side gig as a YouTuber or a TikTok creator. And the temptations might swirl around in your mind: “I should do that … look how much fun they’re having … I want my own business too!“ 

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Strengthen Your Self-Confidence

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

Self-ConfidenceIn this post, I’d like to share three mental exercises that you can use to build a daily practice to strengthen your self-confidence!

Exercise #1: Embrace Emotions, Both Positive and Negative

While many definitions of your self-confidence exist, I will share my favorite: Self-confidence is the willingness to feel any emotion.

As terrible as some emotions feel, they are not harmful. The stronger your ability to accept and allow emotions, positive and negative, the more accomplished you will become.

Self-Confidence

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Goal Setting: The Meaning of Failure and Success

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

failure and successWhy should we set goals — to obtain success, achievement, or happiness? And how are we supposed to manage failure when our goals fall short? In this post, you will discover newfound insights to help you answer these questions!

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Three Guarantees in Life: Death, Taxes, and Job Insecurity

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This is a guest blog by Gina Covarrubias

job securityAccording to careertrend.com, job security is defined as “a sense of assurance that you will remain employed for the foreseeable future – or at the very least, until you decide that you are going to move on. Job security means you are confident that your employer will keep you on board, regardless of the forces that affect the business.” 

Modern Job Insecurity 

Back in the day, long ago, people loyally worked at the same establishment for years at a time. In many industries, climbing the ladder was not required to earn a living wage or a plethora of benefits. Jobs seemed, for the most part, secure. 

It is true many jobs and employers have morphed since then, but some employees have not. There are folks out there who believe in the idea of modern job security. Do you believe the route to elevated job security includes hard work, impactful results, and pleasing your management? 

If this is you, even a little bit, I am thankful you found this article! 

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